Federal

Legal News Feb 3, 2017

Flint Water Lawsuit Dismissed by Judge

A federal judge has dismissed one of the first major class-action lawsuits filed against the state in response to the Flint water crisis. U.S. District Judge John Corbett O’Meara dismissed the case on Thursday, saying allowing the plaintiffs’ claims to proceed would circumvent the Safe Drinking Water Act’s procedures. The lawsuit was filed in 2015 by Melissa Mays and several other Flint residents against Gov. Rick Snyder, the city of Flint and other state and city officials involved in making the decision to use water from the corrosive Flint River, which caused high lead levels in the water municipal water system. The plaintiffs alleged …

Legal News Feb 3, 2017

Federal Judge Dismisses ACLU Lawsuit Aimed at Boosting New Orleans’ Indigent Defense Funding

A federal judge in Baton Rouge this week expressed sympathy for the funding plight of New Orleans’ public defenders, but dismissed a lawsuit brought against the office by the American Civil Liberties Union that hoped to force the state to rectify budget inadequacies for indigent defense under court order. U.S. District Judge James J. Brady of the Middle District of Louisiana ruled Tuesday (Jan. …

Lawsuits Feb 3, 2017

1,700 Flint Residents File Lawsuit Against U.S. Government

Sydney Robinson More than 1,700 residents of Flint, Michigan, are seeking legal compensation in a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. government for the handling of the lead water crisis in their city. The litigation has been a long time coming for a community that has suffered well over two years with poisoned water and for most of that time, the state and federal government denied there was …

News Feb 2, 2017

Uber Offers $1 Per Driver to Resolve Labor Questions, Drivers’ Attorney Agrees

Why it matters to you If you ever consider working for a gig-economy company, this case could be setting a significant precedent. The case isn’t over, but a new chapter on what was once a potential multi-billion dollar class action lawsuit might now settle in the single digit millions. California Uber drivers’ attorney Christopher Morosoff has asked a state judge to accept Uber’s offer of $7.75 …

Lawsuits Jan 26, 2017

JPMorgan Paid Dozens of Women Less Than Men: Lawsuit

JPMorgan Chase paid female employees less than their male counterparts, according to a Labor Department lawsuit filed Wednesday that seeks to halt new federal contracts with the massive bank until it compensates the women. Since at least May 2012, JPMorgan paid at least 93 women employed as lead application developers, project managers and technology directors in …

Class-Actions Jan 25, 2017

Lawsuit Filed Against Pediatrician in Child Pornography Case

Two women whose children were seen by an Albuquerque pediatric urologist facing a federal child pornography charge filed a class-action lawsuit Saturday alleging that the patients were “treated by a depraved sexual predator” who used his position “to engage in pedophilia and voyeurism.” Dr. Guy Rosenschein was arrested in November and remains in federal custody pending trial on charges of …

News Jan 25, 2017

Epic Systems Won’t Reveal Terms of Lawsuit Settlement, Citing Similar Case Before the Supreme Court

Epic Systems and a group of plaintiffs in one of three pending overtime pay lawsuits against the health care software maker cannot reveal the terms of a recently reached settlement in part because of a similar lawsuit involving Epic that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, according to a court filing Tuesday. U.S. District Judge William Conley wrote to the parties earlier this month asking …

News Jan 18, 2017

Paxton Files One Last Lawsuit Against Obama Administration

Attorney General Ken Paxton took one last swipe at the Obama administration Tuesday, joining a throng of states suing the federal government for alleged overreach into the coal industry. Texas joined 12 states in a lawsuit seeking a review and injunction of the “Stream Protection Rule” which the Office of Surface Mining and Reclamation and Enforcement describes as a method to protect streams and wildlife. The suit, Paxton’s 21st against the Obama administration, accused the federal agency of adopting a “one-size-fits-all rule” which affects coal mining without input from states and imposes on state’s sovereign rights. …

Lawsuits Jan 17, 2017

Chicago PD Sued Over ‘Stingray’ Surveillance of Attorney, Activists

Trends Police brutality Jerry Boyle, an attorney and legal observer with the National Lawyers Guild, filed the federal lawsuit on Thursday, naming as defendants the City of Chicago and various former and current officials with the Chicago Police Department. The Harris Corporation’s “Stingray” is the most well-known brand of the controversial spying technology, used by the FBI, the Secret …

Lawsuits Jan 17, 2017

Trump’s Secretary of State Nominee May Have to Testify in a Landmark Climate Lawsuit the Day Before Inauguration

Rex Tillerson testifies during a confirmation hearing. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
The day before Trumpâs inauguration, his pick for Secretary of State will likely be getting questioned under oath. Lawyers for a landmark climate lawsuit , which claims the US government failed to protect future generations from the dangers of global warming, are scheduled to depose Rex Tillerson on January 19.